Three primary schools in Limpopo province can now focus on learning, after proper running water facilities were installed thanks to corporate action.

Murray & Roberts Cementation, in collaboration with its client Palabora Mining Company (PMC), sponsored the drilling and equipping of boreholes at each school. The St Patrick Mathibela, Makhushane and Bollanoto primary schools in Makhushane village near Phalaborwa had long been without reliable water supply. According to Fred Durand, senior project manager at Murray & Roberts Cementation, the company had approached the client to assist. 

“In partnership with our client, we were pleased to support this borehole project,” said Durand. “It has given these schools’ learners safe drinking water, flushing toilets and irrigation for their garden, which supplies vegetables for the school’s feeding scheme.”

At the handover ceremony in mid-June, Durand says Murray & Roberts Cementation appreciated the opportunity to participate in this valuable initiative. He emphasises the importance of education in creating a future for these young learners. 

“This initiative is part of our alignment with the corporate citizenship commitment of all companies in the Murray & Roberts group,” he says. “We support a socially responsive culture, and participate wherever we can in the economic development and sustainable growth of communities in which we operate.”

PMC’s manager for transformation, stakeholder engagement and communications, Abby Ledwaba, applauded Murray & Roberts Cementation’s willingness to contribute to the mine’s efforts to develop local communities. 

“As PMC, we always believe in giving back to the community and that is what we have been doing,” said Ledwaba. The borehole installation is expected to keep working reliably for at least 15 years, keeping the schools well supplied with fresh water.